San Jose Mom Charged With Killing Baby by Suffocating Her During Breastfeeding

Celina Juarez breastfeeding Breastfeeding Death

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Nov 21, 11:50 am

Photo: (Photo : RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Charges have been filed against a mom in San Jose in connection with the death of one of her 7-month-old twin girls. Celina Juarez is accused of suffocating her baby daughter with her breast while trying to feed her, according to NBC Bay Area.

Authorities claimed that the other daughter also allegedly suffered injuries at the hands of the suspect. The Santa Clara County District Attorney charged Juarez with the murder of her baby, Melani, as well as the child endangerment of her twin sister at their home on Hurlingham Way on November 4.

A judge ordered Juarez during her first court appearance that she be held in custody without bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December, where she is expected to enter a plea.

Juarez admits to purposely holding her breast against her girls' mouths

According to a statement of facts provided by police in San Jose, local cops were called out to the home of Juarez after they were told that baby Melani was not breathing and her twin sister was unconscious. Both babies were then rushed to Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Juarez made a stunning admission to detectives, saying that she purposely held her breast against the mouths of her girls as she was frustrated that they would not latch on to her, according to police.

As cops relayed Juarez's story, she said that her husband had left for work that day at around 6:30 a.m. and she took her baby girls and 2-year-old son to church until noon. They all returned home after and Juarez's mom took her son to run errands, KRON reported. That left her with the twins who were sick and fussy on that day, police wrote.

Juarez also told the cops that she was frustrated and she did not eat all day. Police said that Juarez's babies started crying and even though she usually bottle feeds the twins, she wanted to breastfeed them that day to give the babies proper nutrients.

Juarez held Melani's mouth against her breast even when she saw her not breathing

Juarez told police that she picked up Melani and intentionally pushed her daughter very hard against her right breast, not allowing the baby to come up for air. She added that she felt Melani gasping for air and that she saw her daughter's legs kicking as she kept pushing her baby against her body.

Juarez told the cops that she believes she held Melani for 10 minutes against her breast. Even when she saw Melani was not breathing, she still held her baby's mouth against her breast for another two minutes. She then placed her unconscious body on the bed after that.

Juarez said she then picked up her other baby to feed her, pushing the child onto her left breast, according to police. Police wrote that Juarez told them she pushed her very hard against her breast without letting the baby come up for air. Media outlet KTVU is withholding the name of the baby who survived.